Bicycle wheel brace



Febf24, 1953 'B. F. KELLS EIKL BICYCLE WHEEL BRACE Filed-May 15. 1948Patented Feb. 24, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BICYCLE WHEELBRA'CEBethany. K n's; Mount Prespeet; lilg aiid Nicholas'M. Sider',Marion-{b111, assignpi's to Container Corporation of'America; Chicago,111., a corporation of Delaware:

rpetcaioamm, 194s; noizissi 2 claims: (c1. axe-46;

paperboard fp'rjholgli an 'article'against uncle sired moveinent in" aconta ner; andf to a bl nk thereior. Moreparticuiarlygthe invention1'e-'- lates jto apaperboarwpa'cking brace which may be thrust onte anarticle 'and autqunatically 10cl; itself' thereon againstjrernoval, andtea blanh forflsuch a brace," The bracefof'the invention is especiallywell adapteq'for use withjtired Wheels such as'bicyciewheels, butispotjlimited to such use;"si'nce it may be adapted for'packing' a 'variety'of other articles. In general, the brace is formed from an apertured"paperboard blank which is folded and se'curegiito' define asubstantially rigid hollow bodyyvhich may bethrust onto'the' article'joifl a cnvei1ient"go'rtiqiithereofg The article projects through theapertuigediportio of the bra'c'eland 1o'ckingfiap's'are provided Ontheapertui'eedges to engage thefai tic'le and resist pulling off ofthebrac'e; These locking naps are bent out 'ofjtheir original positionby the article as the brace is placed thereon, andtheir tendencytofre'turn to such position by 'rea'sonof th in herent resilience'ofthejpperbQard maintains th'er'h' in ngag ment 'withlthfarfticle; Ifthe article to be. packed I has a bulged cQntour' portion or projectingpci'tioris, theflaps abut such portions se as to prevent, pulling thebrace 01f,

the article," 'Ihejbracef'may befso dimensioned as to' engage theinterior Qf'thej container for the" article, and thjus, hold: thearticle out of contact "with the interior surfaces], or certainfofthem," or against undesired shifting in the container;

It' is as object of our int rim tol pro videi simple anqieasfly formeolbrace of paperboard for holding a packed article against undesired. mo/e: mentin acontainer. ltisafiother object to provide a paperboardpacking brace 'rea'dil'y attach-' able tofan article tobe packed in a,container'for preventing relative; movement) of the article andcontainer. Ajjurther 'ob'jfz this the provision of a paperboard pachingbrace; which may be "atv cached to an article merelyiby being thrustthereif'e wh ch antemat ca ly, eek itself on art cleagainstreinovaltherefrom A still further objectis the provisi'onjqfjaPacking brace of bllew f at havin e ur'e w l and locking flapsassociatedtherewithto permit an article to extend into the brace andito lock thearticle-"and brace against fsetiar'ation, It is 'also np i t to rQY d a8. l f e b a d la for; such "a pacl iiig brace. Another object is to'provideja brace blankjot paperboard which is rea ly -*f o1dj "l'e'"fromfiat foriiitd the 'set up Other ime; objcts" and advantages of Figure{is 'a see 6551 "View taken substantially as indicated. by the line l 4in FigiireB; v

Figurebfisa plan of the blank for another form of th brac ei'l l v" IFigure 6 is an end'i iew ofa brace formed from the break o Figure 5 :1 h

Figure 'l isian enlarged:fragmentary View of another' .portion"of Figure1; and;

Figurefii is a sectional 'view, with portions broken'away, takensubstafitiallyas indicated by the line 13 8 of Fig'ure '7. i i v rReferring toFigur 1 0i the drawings, a parmany 'asseinbled bic y'cle 3including the front and rear'wheelsisfshoifln in a container Cone mainwall of which" has been opened to show the packing arr gement'. one formor the brace of this inyent on,v desi gnated'by th' iiumeral i9, is

h n a nea tim eithe In t two of the braces IE are'shown on the frontwheel,

although'it willjbe clear that fewer or more may be used a's 'd es'ired,Qne""0f th e braces it is applied. "to the heel 'in nie'diatelyadjacentthe front. en of the f nde or 'mud guarafand the other is applied atthelower and rear end of the mud guard This latter flbra'ce mayconveniently thelinud' guard and an accessory r terior packing ltoprevent r0- v ,t land to beheld against movement outer its"desir'e'dposition by such rotatidn l- For adapted fof'and'applied to bicyclewheels since it e? bee t ree d anta nd @011- in t m ns..i' eac wheelie.e

W t e t e e h n eve th cation of the invention is not limited intention"is: readily" adaptable to numerous articles; It"; is thei efbr' to' beborne in mind that theibrlajce of this intention is' capable ofaf'wideand 'geiieraliapplicatio'ri in the packing v A@ ee ei been isnew; llustr e nd des b d. a cu a l pej iaiiy n the of partiallyassembled iii/heels,Qandfthattheprinciple of the Referring now toFigures 1 to 4 of the drawings, the brace I is formed by suitablyfolding the blank H, which comprises a flat oblong sheet of paperboard,preferably corrugated fibreboard, having transverse fold lines l2, l3,and M, such as score lines, to define an end panel IS, an intermediatepanel IS, a third panel H, and an end securing panel [8. The panels l5and I! are substantially identical in size and shape. The intermediatepanel 16 is formed with a slot [9 extending thereacross from the panel[5 to the panel 41. Each of panels [5 and I! is provided with anaperture 20 having an open end at the panel edge adjacent theintermediate panel l6, and communicating with the slot i9.

A pair of fold lines 2|, such as scores, extend between thecorresponding edges of the open ends of the apertures 20, and with theedges of the slot [9 define locking flaps 22 hinged to the panel I6along the lines 2!. Instead of a single flap 22 along each side of theslot IS, a plurality of such flaps or tabs may be provided.

The brace I0 is formed from the blank H by folding along the lines I2,I3 and I4, with the edges of the panels [5 and I1 remote from the panel16 disposed adjacent each other, and the panel 18 overlapping the panel[5 and secured thereto by any suitable means, such as staples. The panel18 is provided with an aperture 20a identical to the apertures 20, andpositioned so as to register with the aperture 29 of the panel when thebrace is formed from the blank as just described. The securing panel I8is shown as almost the same size as panel l5. It will be clear, however,that if desired the panel [8 might be made substantially smaller thanthe panel i5, so that it would not extend to the aperture of the panelI5 when the brace is formed, or might otherwise be formed to avoid theaperture 20. It is thus within the purview of the invention to form thepanel [8 as a relatively small connecting tab or flap between the panelsl5 and I1. Generally, however, it is more convenient in setting up theblank and securing the panels [5 and It to have them of substantiallythe same size, thus providing a greater area in which the securing means,may be positioned. For example, in using staples to secure the brace inits formed condition, the central portion of the brace may receive theanvil portion of a stapling or stitching machine, while it might beimpossible to position the anvil at either end of the panel I! becauseof the proximity of other panels. The same advantage of greater workingspace is available with other securing means than staples, as will beobvious. The formation of the panel [13 substantially coextensive withthe panel [5 has another advantage, in that the double thickness ofmaterial thus provided results in greater strength .and rigidity of thebrace. Of course, the walls of the brace may all be of double thickness,or more, if

desired.

In folding the blank II to produce brace H), the panels of the blank arefolded toward the same face of the blank along the fold lines, and theterminal panels are disposed in overlapping relation and securedtogether. That provides a closed polygona triangle-the walls of whichare all secured together and are mutually reinforcing, and the base wallof which is the panel [6 provided with the slot 19 and tabs 22. from theends of which the apertures 2! and 20a in the side walls extend towardthe apex of the brace. The resultant brace I 0 requires but acomparatively small amount of paper board in its construction, which isdesirable for obvious reasons, while possessing adequate compressivestrength for its intended use.

Since the invention is described and illustrated as embodied in a bracefor application to bicycle Wheels, the apertures 20 and 200. are shownas of substantially keyhole shape to correspond generally to thecross-sectional contour of the tire and rim of such a wheel. Inpractice, the slot I9 and apertures 20 are formed as a single slot oraperture extending across the edges of adjacent panels. The open ends ofthe apertures 23 and 20a are slightly wider than the rim portion of thewheel and converge in the direction of the rounded portion of theapertures, which, of course, corresponds to the cross-sectional shape ofthe tire portion outside of the rim. The free edges of flaps 22 arecurved to correspond substantially to the curvature of the tire adjacentthe edges of the rim, and are of a width such that they engage againstthe tire adjacent the rim edges. It will be clear that the particulardimensions and shapes of the slot l9 and apertures 20 and 20a may bevaried as necessary or desirable for application to articles ofdifferent cross-sectional contours.

In applying the brace to a bicycle wheel, it is grasped at the junctureof the panels 15 and H with the center line of slot I9 disposed in,

the radial plane of the tire, and moved radially inwardly of the tireand wheel until the tire engages in the rounded portion of the apertures20 and 20a. The flaps 22 are spread apart by the tire with their freeedges directed radially outwardly. As the flaps 22 pass radiallyinwardly past the widest portion of the tire, the resilience of thepaperboard results in their tending to spring toward each other, so thatthey continue in engagement with the outer surface of the tire as thebrace is moved radially inwardly. When the brace is seated on the tireand rim, the flaps 22 are disposed with their edges abutting against thetire, radially inward of the widest or bulged portion of the tire atsuch an angle that they can not slip radially outwardly along thesurface of the tire if the brace is pulled outwardly, and are held atthis angle and against further movement toward each other by theintervention of the rim between them. This is clearly shown in Figures 3and 4. The flaps therefore cannot swing about their hinges in responseto attempted radially outward movement of the brace, and thus preventsuch movement. The opposed side walls of the tire, bulging outwardly,serve as lateral projections behind which the flaps engage. The brace isso dimensioned that the lateral edges of the panels engage against theopposed main side walls of the container C so that the wheel and itsassociated parts are held against moving axially, and thus maintainedout of contact with the opposed side walls of the container. The braceof course may also be so dimensioned as to hold the wheel againstcontact with the end walls or the top and bottom walls of the container.

Another form of the brace, designated by the reference numeral 30, alsodescribed as applied to a bicycle wheel, is shown generally as appliedto the rear wheel in Figure l and is shown in detail in Figures 5' to 3.In this form, a rein-forcingand spacing structure is incorporated in thebrace. This form of the bicycle wheel brace is particularly adapted tobe used on the rear wheels of partially assembled bicycles, since theyare ordinarily shipped with the rear wheel lower-most. A brace toprotect the rear wheel must therefore be capable of sustaining theweight of the partially assembled bicycle. The brace 33 is disposed onthe rear wheel substantially in the horizontal axial plane thereof, anddirectly below the rear end of the fender or mudguard. The brace is thusina good position to support the weight of the bicycle when thecontainer is upended. To hold the brace in this position, suitableinterior packing, such as the pedestal P extending from the bottom ofthe containerto the brace, may be provided. The brace 33 is thus heldbetween the mudguard and packing. Of course, other means may be used tomaintain the brace. in the desired position.

The brace 33 is formed from the oblong blank 3| shown in Figure 5. Thisblank has fold lines 32, which like the fold lines l2, l3 and 14 of theblank ii described above may be scored lines, to define an end panel 33,a first apertured panel 3:3, an intermediate apertured panel 35, asecond apertured panel 36, an outer end panel 3'], additional outerpanels 38, 39: and 4%, as well as an end portion 4| which may beemployed as a. reenforcing and spacing means for the brace proper, as byfolding this end portion in any suitable manner. A slot 42 similar tothe slot w ofthe previously described brace it) extends across theintermediate panel 35, and an aperture 43- of generally keyhole shapeand communicating with the adjacent end of the slot- 42. is formed ineach of the panels 34 and 33. Fold lines 44 extend between thecorresponding ends of the apertures 43 and with the sides of the slot 42define the locking flaps 45 which hinge on the panel, 35 along the lines44. Each flap, 45 may be replaced by a plurality of tabs. or flaps ifdesired. A slot or aperture 46 is formed in the panels 33, 33 and it ofthe same general size and shape asv the aperture defined in the panels34, 3.5 and, 33 when the flaps 45 are bent out of the plane of the panel35.

The brace 3c is formed by folding the blank 3| on the lines 32 so thatthe end panel 33 is opposite and parallel to the panel 35, and thepanels 34 and 36 extend between the panels 33 and 35 in parallelrelation to each other. The panels 31, 38, 39 and 4|] overlie the panels33, 34, 35 and 36 respectively, with the aperture .13 registering withthe apertures 43 and the opening in the panel 35 defined by the lines 44when the flaps 45 are bent out of the plane of that panel. This providesa securing portion for the brace of double thickness throughout,providing greater strength than if only a single thickness or" materialwere employed. The panels are of slightly differing widths, in order toallow for the thickness of the material in making the bends in theblanks, in a manner well known in the art and which need not beparticularly described here. The end panel 33 serves as a spacing andreenforcing means between the panels 34 and 36, and the outer end panel3'! similarly serves between the panels 33 and it. The panel 40 isconsiderably wider than the panels 34, 36 or 38, so that it may extendbeyond the panel 36 which it overlies and serve as a connection betweenthe securing portion of the brace and the reenforcing and spacingportionprovided by the end portion 4| of the blank.

The brace of Figure 7', like the brace. I0 of Figure 3, is in. the formof a. closed polygona rectangl'ethe walls of which are secured togetherand are. mutually reenforcing. It has a base wall, comprising the panelsand 33, provided with a slot 42' and holding flaps or tabs 43, from theends of which, the openings 43. and 46 in the side walls. extend awayfrom the base and toward the opposite. side of the brace. The brace. 30requires but a comparatively small amount of paper board in its,construction while possessing adequate compressive strength for itsintended use,

It will be clear that by foldin the end portion 4| of the blank so as toprovide a multiple thick ness of material, whether this be in the formof a hollow body or as a substantially solid body comprised of a,plurality of layers of paperboard, a very strong brace is providedcapable of supporting a very considerable weight, The inclusion of sucha reenforcing spacing member in the brace 33, together with theadditional strength provided in the securing portion of the brace by thedouble thickness material, results in the desired strength. Of course,the brace 3L maybe formed with only a single thicknessof material? inthe securing portion provided bythe panels 33, 34, 35 and 36, and thepanel 36 might then be employed as a connection between the securingportion and the reenforcing portion formed of the end portion ti of theblank. Any suitable securing means might be employed in thislighterconstruction, such as a connecting tab, flap, or-pane-lextendingfrom the panel and secured to the panel 36, similar to the panel I8;described in connection with the first form of the brace. Similarly, thereenforcin portion formed of the end portion il of the blank might. beof only a single thickness of material, if that should be desirable,depending upon the strength required in the particular brace.

A brace 38 formed: from. the blank 3| is shown in Figure '7 secured onthe rear wheel of a bicycle. The crossing interior bracing elements 48shown in Figure 7, however, are provided by forming the end portion 4!of the blank 3| in a special manner. This particular construction doesnot. form a part of the present invention and is illustrated only as anexample of how the end portion 4| of the blank may be folded and formedto provide a strong reenforcing portion for the brace 38. As alreadymentioned above, the end portion of the blank may be folded or otherwiseformed in any desired manner to provide the desired strength andresistance to crushing under load.

The brace 3|! is applied to the Wheel in the same manner as the braceit, the flaps d5 of the panel 35 engaging against the edges of the wheelrim and having their free edges abutting against the tire adjacent therim edges at such an angle as to resist radially outward movement of thebrace, while the rounded portions of the apertures 53 and d6 engage thetire to prevent additional radially inward movement of the brace oncethe brace has been properly seated on the tire and rim. This locking ofthe brace on the wheel is perhaps best shown in Figure 8, although it isalso apparent from Figure 7.

The brace 39, like the brace l0 previously described, may of course beadapted for application to other articles than bicycle wheels and thelike, and since the necessary changes in the brace as described in orderto adapt it for use on other articles will be obvious to those skilledin the art, no detailed description of the various changes which mightbe made to adapt it to any other articles is attempted here.

It will be noted that the brace l0, comprising three main panels, istriangular in cross section, while the brace 39 is provided with fourwalls, and is of rectangular cross section. The walls of either form mayconsist of more than one thickness of material. Furthermore, thetriangular form of the brace embodied in the brace l and the rectangularform as illustrated by the brace 39 might be varied to include othercross sectional outlines, so long as. the necessary rigidity andstrength were maintained. Such changes would merely alter the specificform of the brace, without departing from the principle of the inventionOther variations in the particular details of the brace may of course bemade. For example, the article-receiving aperture or slot may lie inonly two of the panels, with the locking flaps extendin from one or bothpanels adjacent the fold line therebetween, more or less at the centralportion of the slot.

Since it is clear that many changes and modifications may be made in thedisclosed emb0diments of the invention without departing from theprinciples thereof, some of which have been suggested in the disclosure,it is not intended that the invention be limited otherwise than asrequired by the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

W e claim:

1. A paperboard packing brace for use in packing for shipment bicyclesand the like having wheels with tires mounted thereon, a plurality ofpanels secured together end to end and defining a closed polygon havinga base panel of substantial width and side panels extending from theends of the base panel and spaced apart thereby at their ends adjacentsaid base panel, the latter having a slot extending the full widththereof and locking flaps hinged thereto along fold lines substantiallycoincident with the sides of said slot, the latter being ofsubstantially uniform width and said flaps being of substantially equalwidth, the combined widths of said flaps being within the width of saidslot, each of said side panels having therein a key-hole aperturealigned with said slot and comprising an outer substantiallysemicircular portion of a diameter approximately the same as the widthof said slot and an inner portion of approximately the same width at itsinner end as said slot and converging therefrom outwardly and openinginto said outer portion.

2. A paperboard packing brace for use in packing for shipment bicyclesand the like having wheels with tires mounted thereon, a plurality ofpanels secured together end to end and defining a closed triangle havinga base panel of substantial width and side panels extending from theends of the base panel and spaced apart thereby at their ends adjacentsaid base panel, the latter having a slot extending the full widththereof and locking flaps hinged thereto along fold lines substantiallycoincident with the sides of said slot. the latter being ofsubstantially uniform width and said flaps being of substantially equa1width, the combined widths of said flaps being within the width of saidslot, the free side edge of each of said locking flaps being convexlycurved away from the fold line thereof, each of said side panels havingtherein a key-hole aperture aligned with said slot and comprising anouter substantially semicircular portion of a diameter approximately thesame as the width of said slot and an inner portion of approximately thesame width at its inner end as said slot and converging therefromoutwardly and opening into said outer portion.

BENJAMIN F. KELLS. NICHOLAS M. SIDER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,974,674 Halladay et a1. Sept.25, 1934 2,015,222 Hinson Sept. 24, 1935 2,033,299 Reichel Mar. 10, 19362,054,355 Anderson Sept. 15, 1936 2,259,772 Owens Oct. 21, 19412,261,280 Pennebaker et a1. Nov, 4, 1941 2,276,213 Langell Mar. 10, 19422,299,355 Stolpman Oct. 30, 1942 2,442,980 Lewis June 8, 1948

